Implement holder

ABSTRACT

A holder for fitting around a user&#39;s finger and holding an implement thereto, the holder comprising a band at least a portion of which is elastic, the band having a first portion ( 11 ) and a second portion ( 13 ), wherein the first and second portions are of substantially the same width or wherein one of said first and second portions is narrower in width and the other is broader in width, and a least one reinforcing member ( 12 ).

The present invention relates to a holder for fitting around a user'sfinger and holding an implement thereto.

There are a number of devices known for attachment of a writingimplement to a user's finger or hand. Conventionally these devicescomprise a rigid band which fits onto the finger or is strapped around ahand, and have attached a discrete, smaller band through which a pencilor other such writing implement can be inserted such that the writingimplement is held in the region of the user's hand.

However, there are a number of drawbacks associated with such knowndevices. For example, they can be uncomfortable to wear, and may alsorestrict movement of the fingers or hand, particularly those devicesthat completely encircle the user's palm. Naturally, this is aconsiderable disadvantage for those users requiring a high degree offlexibility either when using the implement or when the implement is notin use but is merely attached to the user's hand. Moreover, in manycases, these known devices merely provide a means of attaching animplement in the region of a user's hand, and may require furtheradjustment by the user, using his fingers and/or his other hand, inorder to move the implement up or down as necessary within its holderand to correctly orient the implement for use. Further, the knowndevices only allow for one implement to be attached in the region of theuser's hand at any time; no provisions are made for multiple implements.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to seek to overcomethese disadvantages.

According to the present invention, there is provided a holder forfitting around a user's finger and holding an implement thereto, theholder comprising a band at least a portion of which is elastic, theband having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first andsecond portions are of substantially the same width or wherein one ofsaid first and second portions is narrower in width and the other isbroader in width, and at least one reinforcing member.

In use, the holder secures an implement to the user's index finger sothat the implement can be grasped and released repeatedly depending onwhether or not the user requires the implement. When the user no longerrequires use of the implement, he can simply release his grip, theimplement being retained by the holder ready for the user to take upagain. Moreover, the holder secures the implement to the user's fingerin an orientation such as to facilitate the correct positioning of theimplement in the user's hand when the user grasps the implement. Theholder of the present invention can accommodate more than one implement,thus allowing the user to switch from one implement to another withease, and without the need to drop one implement in order to pick upanother. This multitasking capability is advantageous for, for example,an artist when drawing, as it is not necessary for the artist to putdown, for example, a paintbrush or pen in order to carry out othertasks, for example erasing pencil lines.

Other potential uses of the holder of the present invention include useby make-up artists requiring access to a range of different brushes, useby tattoo artists, and use as a teaching tool, for example to help toteach children to write or to aid persons who have difficulty holdingcertain implements, such as writing implements or chopsticks.

The elastic portion of the band renders the band expandable, so that theholder can fit onto and grip around fingers of differing sizes.

In use, the first portion is preferably located over the top of afinger, whilst the second portion is located generally on the undersideof the finger.

The reinforcing member may be a rigid pad against which the user's thumbcan press to stabilise the implement in use and provide greater control.The reinforcing member prevents the band from becoming twisted duringfitting onto, or removal from, the user's finger.

The first and second portions may be of substantially the same width.Alternatively, the width of one of the first or second portions may besmaller than that of the other portion. In this way, it can beappreciated that the narrower portion allows the user freedom to bendhis finger, whilst the broader portion provides a base for securelyholding an implement against a finger.

Preferably, where present, at least the broader of the first and secondportions of the band is elastic. More preferably, the band comprises acontinuous closed loop of elastic material.

Alternatively, the band may comprise one or more pieces of material thatcan be attached to itself or one another respectively to form a closedloop of variable size. The means of attachment may comprise, forexample, Velcro, press studs, hooks and eyes, or a buckle.

The band may be provided with at least one cut, preferably, wherepresent, in the broader of the first and second portions and throughwhich, for ease of insertion, the implement can be inserted. The secondportion of the band may be provided with at least two cuts, to therebyform a loop through which loop the implement may be inserted.

Alternatively, the holder may further comprise a strip of at leastpartially elastic material which forms a loop with the band, throughwhich loop the implement can be inserted.

In preferred embodiments, the band is provided with two reinforcingmembers. It is further preferred that the two reinforcing members arediametrically opposed to one another.

Conveniently, the at least one reinforcing member comprises means foridentification of origin, for example a trade mark or other marketingmaterial.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detailwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the holder of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the holder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the holder of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the holder of FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the holder of FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a second embodiment of the holder of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a holder of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the holder of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the holder of FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective side view from above of the holder of FIGS. 7to 9.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a first embodiment of the holder of thepresent invention comprises a band comprising a first portion 11 and asecond portion 13. The first portion 11 and second portion 13 are madeof elastic material and form a continuous loop. The second portion 13has a cut 14 therein, through which in use an implement can be inserted,to thereby grip the implement between the second portion 13 and thefinger of a user. The band further includes two reinforcing members 12,which are diametrically opposed on either side of the band. Thereinforcing members 12 can comprise means for indication of origin, forexample a trade mark or other marketing material.

Referring to FIG. 6, a second embodiment of the holder of the presentinvention is substantially the same as the first embodiment, but has twocuts 14 in the second portion 13 forming a loop 15, rather than thesingle cut 14 of the first embodiment. An implement to be held can thusbe passed through the loop 15 so as to be held by the holder.

Referring to FIGS. 7 to 10, a third embodiment of the holder of thepresent invention is substantially the same as the first and secondembodiments described above, but further comprises a strip of material16 which forms a loop with the band. In a similar way to the loop 15 ofthe second embodiment described above, an implement to be held can bepassed through the loop 16 so as to be held by the holder.

Although the holder of the present invention is directed to use forholding a drawing/writing implement, it will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that it may also be used for holding any othersuitable hand-held implement, and may be particularly beneficial inteaching children to write.

1. A holder for fitting around a user's finger and holding an implementthereto, the holder comprising a band at least a portion of which iselastic, and at least one reinforcing member.
 2. A holder according toclaim 1 wherein the band comprises a first portion and a second portion,the first and second portions being of substantially the same width. 3.A holder according to claim 1 wherein the band comprises a first portionand a second portion, the width of one of the first or second portionsbeing smaller than that of the other portion.
 4. A holder according toclaim 3 wherein at least the broader portion is elastic.
 5. A holderaccording to claim 4 wherein the band comprises a continuous closed loopof elastic material.
 6. A holder according to any one of claims 1 to 4wherein the band comprises one or more pieces of material that can beattached to one another to form a closed loop of variable size.
 7. Aholder according to claim 6 wherein the means of attachment is velcro,press studs, hooks and eyes or a buckle.
 8. A holder according to claim1 wherein the band is provided with at least one cut through which theimplement can be inserted.
 9. A holder according to claim 8 wherein theband is provided with at least two cuts, thereby forming a loop throughboth of which cuts the implement can be inserted.
 10. A holder accordingto claim 8 or 9 wherein the width of one of the first or second portionsis smaller than that of the other portion, and the cut(s) is provided inthe broader portion.
 11. A holder according to any one of claims 1 towhich further comprises a strip of at least partially elastic materialwhich forms a loop with the band through which loop the implement can beinserted.
 12. A holder according to claim 1 wherein the band is providedwith two reinforcing members.
 13. A holder according to claim 11 whereinthe two reinforcing members are diametrically opposed to one another.14. A holder according to claim 1 wherein the at least one reinforcingmember comprises means for identification of origin.
 15. (canceled)